Effect of Two Springs on an Object

[jemstone]

Homework Statement

The spring in the figure (link 1) (a)is compressed by length \Deltax. It launches the block across a frictionless surface with speed v₀. The two springs in the figure (link 2) (b) are identical to the spring of the figure . They are compressed by the same length \Deltax and used to launch the same block. What is the block's speed now?
picture1: http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1000762/5/knight_Figure_10_38a.jpg

picture 2: http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1000762/5/knight_Figure_10_38b.jpg

Homework Equations

F_sp = -k\Deltas
Us = 1/2 k(\Deltas)²
K = 1/2 mv²

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not sure what the effect of two springs would be, but in terms of V₀ I feel like it might be 2V₀, but that seems to easy.

 

[heth]

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not sure what the effect of two springs would be, but in terms of V₀ I feel like it might be 2V₀, but that seems to easy.

Try making some substitutions using the equations you quoted to see if your feeling is right or not.

 

[borgwal]

What do you think happens to the force on the block?

 

[jemstone]

Ok I figured it out! I plugged in all the numbers and found that it is sqr(2)v

thanks!